CMC Ice Block week one and two

It’s been an extremely busy few weeks for me teaching a CMC twelve day Ice Climbing Leadership Block in Leadville, Vail and Lake City. This unique program is schedule with one 3 day weekend, then two 4-day sessions. I know the snow has probably been spectacular in CB, but I’ve been quite content to swing the tools in the glorious CO sun lately.

Of all the venues to introduce beginning Ice Climbers to the wonders of frozen waterfall climbing the Lake City Ice Park is without question the best venue in the state (and i’ve been everywhere!) Contact me to set up a day of private ice climbing instruction in Lake City through CB Mountain Guides (Lake City Ice park’s only permitted guiding concession!). Leave the crowds, regulations and heinous commute of Ouray behind. Lake City is like Ouray 10 years ago, before all the hype and crowds.

Photos from the past few weeks are slim due to the amount of teaching and coaching during this program, but hopefully next week while teaching down in Ouray I’ll get some quality footage.

Last week in between ice climbing sessions, I spend my three days off attending an AIARE Level II Instructor Training Course here at home in CB, before it was back to climbing ice. There are plenty of avalanche courses out there these days, if you are looking to make a life out of professional avalanche work or guiding AIARE is the ONLY curriculum that is recognized by the American Mountain Guides Association. Considering a Level II this winter? Have a look at CBMG’s AIARE course offerings here.

My new (and stripped down) Arcteryx Arrakis

In the meantime, a nice package had arrived with an arc’teryx Arrakis 40 backpack! Stay tuned for an in-depth review once I get it loaded and into the mountains. This thing is pretty flashy and super Tech! It’s already been abducted several times by fellow guides for the once over.

It really doesn’t compress. Because of the semi-rigid strap attachment points, the side straps really do not serve as compression straps. I don’t really mind the lack of compression, but I some may find this annoying.